Poetry and plays worksheets
Free worksheets: Poetry and plays, EYFS, Reception
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Rhyming maze
Can you help the animals through the mazes? Follow the words that rhyme with your pencil to help them to their snacks.
Haikus explained
A haiku is a poem that only has three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second seven and the third five again. Read this haiku describing a woman. Can you count the syllables in each line? What words has the poet used to describe the woman? Underline all the describing words (adjectives).
Exploring poetry: question and answer poems
Here is a poem that is made up of questions and answers. Where is the rhyme in this poem? What could you say about the way it is structured?
Exploring poetry: list poems
Some poems are very simply written as a list. Write your own list poem about the most disgusting dinner ever.
Exploring poetry: haiku poems
Look through a magazine or newspaper for an interesting picture. Cut it out and stick it in the box. Write as many words and phrases about your picture as you can. Let your imagination run wild! Can
you include some similes? Now put a circle around the words and phrases that you particularly like. Can you write a haiku using these words?
you include some similes? Now put a circle around the words and phrases that you particularly like. Can you write a haiku using these words?
Exploring poetry: cinquains
A cinquain is a five-line poem which follows a particular structure. Can you explain each line of this poem to an adult? Are there any words you don’t understand? If so, look them up in a dictionary. Look at the cinquain below. Does it follow the same structure?
Creating images in poetry
A simile is when something is compared to something else, using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. This poem is about acorns. It contains two similes; can you find them?
Analysing a play script
Read this play script about a boy who finds himself on a magical island and is tempted to eat some very special fruit, then act it out with a family member. Can you find the following features in the play script?
Rhyming words in poetry
Can you think of some words that rhyme? Write them down here then use some of them to write a little poem!
Writing a shape poem
A shape poem is a poem that is written in the shape of what it is about. Think of something you want to write about (an animal, food, weather, a haunted house, a forest, etc.) Get a blank piece of paper and write some words and phrases about the object all over it. See if you can include some really good similes! Choose your best words and phrases and write these into a few lines. There are no rules! Your poem doesn’t have to rhyme, can be any length, can be written from the point of view of the object – whatever you like! Draw a picture of the object you are writing about. When you are happy with your poem, write it neatly into the picture you have drawn. Colour in the picture with colouring pencils (not pen as this will ruin your writing!). Your shape poem is complete.
Writing a play script
When writing a play script, you need to include the following features: 1. Character’s name on the left 2. Colon : 3. Stage directions in brackets 4. Character’s speech (without speech marks) Look at this example of a play script then continue writing the conversation between Mum and Louise so that we find out what is in the saucepan.
Reading and performing a play script
This is a play script about a girl who has moved from Ireland to England and is finding it difficult to settle in at school. Find two other people to act out this play script with you. Make sure you read the stage directions (in brackets and italics) so you know what to do. Put lots of expression into what you are saying – you’re on the stage!
Write a poem about snow
In this worksheet, your child can complete a poem about snow by filling in the blanks. Repeat the exercise to come up with a few different poems.
Poetry word games
This great word game helps children get familiar with all aspects of poetry including rhyming and alternative patterns.
Writing about your favourite poem
A worksheet giving prompts for children to think and write about the setting, structure and language of their favourite poem.
Use onomatopoeia in poetry
This fun with phonics activity will help your child to make patterns of sounds to create effects.
Rhyming words
Encourage your child to read this poem out loud and then look for the rhyming words.
Explore and play with words
This Key Stage 1 reading and writing activity will help your child to explore and play with words and use an easy format for writing fun poetry.
Write your own rhyme
This worksheet gives an example of a poem and then encourages your child to use the writing frame to write their own rhyming poem.
Understand the concept of time
This worksheet activity will help your child to understand how long a second and a minute are and use their knowledge to write simple poetry.